The Good Part Of Not Such Good News

The new year brought with it a change in my insurance provider, and consequently...my general practitioner.  I wanted to have us get a look at each other sooner than later, so I made an appointment to do just that.  It went OK.  I didn't have any strong feelings towards her one way or the other.  She was nice, but had a flatness about her.  I made a point of not making too much of it...after all...it was our first meeting.

As expected, she ordered that a blood work-up be done. The  results have come back, and for the first time ever, my LDL levels are outside the acceptable range.  They're not horrible, but they're higher than they should be. 

The good news is that rather than immediately prescribing a cholesterol drug, the good doctor instructed me to start taking 2000mg of omega-3 every day.  I'm liking her already. It's not that I wouldn't take a prescription drug if I absolutely had to, but I'm trying to put the day I have to take any prescription off for as long as possible.  You see, I believe that one drug leads to another. Yes, I certainly prefer addressing things naturally and I was relieved that she evidently thought the same way.

For those who might doubt the wisdom of this course of action, The American Heart Association  website confirms that omega-3 is good for cholesterol levels and recommends taking two to four grams of it per day.

I don't think I can eat that much tuna and salmon, so I've gone ahead and gotten a supplement to take.  Maybe now that I'm taking it, I'll remember to take my calcium at the same time! 

Comments

[stephanie]

Sounds like a good doc - might as well try the natural solution. Every week, I stick my vitamins in one of those medication containers that has a compartment for every day of the week, and I just get it out when I get out the breakfast stuff. That streamlines the process a bit. Plus if you're ever thinking "did I take my omega-3 today?" it's really easy to find out. I read that in an organizing book and thought I'd share. :)

[sandy kessler]

June your comment on the Republican debate and the camel made me roar and I needed it sk

[Shannon]

Wow June, I'm right there with 'ya. I'm fighting it all with the metabolic issue, and my chloesterol and triglycerides were high too. I take Fish Oil 2 times per day and have been for about two months now. I noticed a HUGE difference in all my joints, back pain, etc. right away. It also helps with mental clairity and being upbeat in a natural kinda way.

I think you will be pleased with the results. They also say that if you don't notice a difference in a week to try a different brand.

Are you exercising to help too? I'm up to 4-5 times a week and I feel tremendously better. It does a world of good to get you in check. Shannon

[Becca]

Thanks for the heads up on this one. We're fighting the cholesterol battle at our house too, and my husband already takes way more prescription meds than he'd like, so we're hoping to stay away from any more. I'll give this a try - along with oat bran.

Good luck!

[colleen]

She sounds like she's going to work out. Let us know if the levels go down on it. Is is cholesterol? I've also heard lecithin granules break it up.

[alice]

I am in absolute agreement -- the first pharmaceutical is almost always a gateway drug. After that, it snowballs... you need a second drug for the first one's side effects. Then something to calm your stomach because of the second drug. And so on and so on until you're putting the Glaxo CEO's kid through college!

Prescriptions are best relegated to the "when there's no other option" category. I'm impressed with your new doc!

[CountryDew]

Don't forget that flaxseed is a good omega-3 too. In case you can't stomach the fish oil.

[Bevson]

OMG. Thanks for the reminder. I just popped down to the kitchen to take it. How do you remember. I don't take pills regularly so I am always forgetting. My doctor is not happy with me either. I went yesterday for the first time in 2 years.

[June]

It’s hit and miss, that’s for sure. I’ve tried putting them in the kitchen and in the bathroom, but they can be staring right at me and I don’t always see them. It’s a good thing I don’t have to really rely on them!